CORTLAND, N.Y.—SUNY Cortland (9-3, 4-1 SUNYAC) used a big first quarter en route to 74-45 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-11, 0-5) on Friday night. Junior guard Laura Coleman (Manhattan, N.Y./Opportunity Charter) led the Bears with 10 points, while Alyssa Crosby had 18 points and eight rebounds for Cortland.
 
The Red Dragons raced out to a 28-6 lead after one quarter and used their momentum the rest of the contest. Potsdam's defense held Cortland to just 10 points in the second quarter, while scoring eight of its own. Junior guard Laura Coleman (Manhattan, N.Y./Opportunity Charter) scored four of the points and junior forward Patti Dorgler (Floral Park, N.Y./Archbishop Malloy) sank a three for the Bears. Potsdam trailed 38-14 at the half.
 
The third quarter was also tightly contested, with the Red Dragons building a 13-11 advantage during the 10-minute span. Sophomore forward Emily Drake (Athens, N.Y./Coxsackie-Athens) hit consecutive buckets at the midway mark to start an 11-3 run for the Bears. Freshman guard Janay Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy) and Coleman also hit shots during the stretch.
 
The fourth quarter was the highest scoring period of the game, with Cortland topping Potsdam 23-20. Junior guard Abbey LaPage (North Bangor, N.Y./Franklin Academy) hit two 3-pointers in the fourth and Coleman finished her day with two more field goals.
 
The Red Dragons outshot Potsdam 44.1-percent to 31.3, but the Bears outrebounded Cortland 34-32.
 
Freshman forward Victoria Shopvick (White Plains, N.Y./Maria Regina) recorded with eight points for Potsdam, while LaPage and Drake each had six. Freshman forward Breanne Sapp (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) had a team-high seven rebounds. Kristy Vitucci and Stephanie Rice had 13 and 12 points for Cortland, respectively.
 
The Bears head to Oswego tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. for another SUNYAC battle.